Last chapter:

Kurt has received an anonymous text message telling him to be at a certain address in Newark at midnight. Since he doesn't trust himself to be able to drive because of his weak condition he asked Karofsky to give him a ride. He doesn't want to put his father into danger or spend too much time with Finn while his stepbrother's having uncertain feelings.

In the middle of the night someone knocks at Blaine's door. He is surprised to see Gabriel who claims to be unable to find sleep and decided to pay him a visit. Blaine tries to get some information out of the orderly.

Midnight

"So what's up in Newark tonight?" Karofsky asked in a conversational tone as they left Lima behind. "Some fancy party or a gay bar to visit?"

Kurt considered briefly how much he should or shouldn't tell him.

"Got an appointment," he answered simply. He didn't feel like explaining to Karofsky why he needed to drive to Newark and why Karofsky was the only one he'd asked to drive him. Karofsky didn't need to know the details.

Kurt started to regret asking the jock for the favor. But did he really have any other options? Yeah, he could've asked Mercedes and told her to just drop him off and wait somewhere else for him. She could've brought Sam along, so she wouldn't be alone… But no, he didn't want to drag too many people into this mess. Also, he could've called Santana or Brittany and asked them for Puckerman's number. But a call in the middle of the night? And him needing to talk to Puck? Gosh, word would travel faster than he'd even get to Newark.

He could have tried driving by himself.

Kurt kneaded his hands. He still felt the weakness in his bones and he was well aware that he'd put himself in an incredibly stupid position. But he wouldn't let Karofsky – or Mr Anderson for that matter – see that he was at his bodily limits. He was determined to stand his ground – and let Mr Anderson know a piece of his mind when he met him.

"I was surprised by your call," Karofsky said, his eyes on the road. If he looked anywhere other than straight ahead, it was only briefly into the rearview mirror.

For a brief moment Kurt wondered if the jock was nervous. Could it be that he was flustered by Kurt's presence?

"You know, after we met at the mall yesterday I thought you'd never contact me," Karofsky continued and for a second Kurt was confused. Had that only been yesterday? Gosh, it felt like a lifetime's passed by.

"What I'd wanted to talk to you about..." Karofsky went on when Kurt didn't say a word. "You know, about what happened to you at New Year's..."

"I don't want to talk about it now," Kurt interrupted him harshly and was surprised by his own fierceness. He didn't want to be reminded of what happened on New Year's. He couldn't concentrate on something like that now. He needed to focus on the task at hand. Meeting Mr. Anderson. He was afraid that whatever Karofsky wanted to tell him might turn him into a crying mess. He needed to stay strong and confident when he faced Blaine's father.

"On our way back you can tell me whatever you want, okay?" he quickly amended with a sideway's glance at his companion.

Karofsky gave a slight nod of agreement. Apparently he wasn't too eager to talk about whatever he wanted to talk about himself.

Karofsky turned onto the road which led them through the forest. Kurt knew this part of the way by heart because it was the same road he took on his way to Dalton. He always hated going through the forest. It had wicked turns and was dangerous to drive at day. At nighttime in the dark it was even creepier than he'd imagined. There were no streetlights and no other traffic. It would be easy for Karofsky to just turn off the road and stop in a sideway. No one would hear his screams...

Kurt closed his eyes and dug his nails into his palms. Stop thinking such nonsense!

Wonderful. On top of everything else now he had to be worried about being raped.

Kurt took another glance at Karofsky. No. Maybe in his nightmares Karofsky was capable of turning into a cruel rapist. But not in real life. In real life David Karofsky was just a scared boy.

You are not alone. Suddenly Kurt remembered the words Blaine had said to Karofsky once, because he had seen it, too. David Karofsky was just another high school kid scared of things. He might have force-kissed him but he wasn't capable of more. He was just lonely. Kurt turned to watch the trees passing by and in his mind he repeated Blaine's song lyrics.

Courage is when you're afraid, but you keep on moving anyway

After a while it was Karofsky's turn to cast him a sideways look. "You look like shit."

This little comment made Kurt chuckle. "Thank you."

"No, really," Karofsky insisted. "You alright?"

Kurt nodded and for a second he felt dizzy again. "I'm fine."

"Want a coke?" Karofsky gestured to the backseat and when Kurt turned around in his seat he saw an open cooler with provisions. Sandwiches, chocolate bars, different bottles of soda and a lot of cans of coke.

The sight of Karofsky's provisions gave him chills.

When he'd called Karofsky he hadn't told him where he needed him to drive. The jock couldn't have known that it would be such a long ride. And why would he pack so many snacks and drinks anyway? Besides, hadn't it been odd that Karofsky had been at his house so fast? Just like... he'd already been there... Oh God, Karofsky wasn't actually stalking him, was he? Kurt didn't know whether to ask him about it or not. The thought of Karofsky spending the night sitting in his car in front of Kurt's house was creeping him out.

Kurt took a small bottle of Moutain Dew from Karofsky's stash. He needed some caffeine and sugar. "Thanks." He took a large gulp and let out a little sigh. Then he started drumming his fingers against the bottle, trying to keep his nerves.

"Let me guess." He finally turned to Karofsky. "When I called you up you weren't exactly slumbering in your bed, were you?"

"I was driving around," Karofsky admitted with a shrug.

Kurt gave a little nod and decided to drop the subject. He didn't really fancy to hear Karofsky say 'Yeah, I like hanging out in front of your house just to catch a glance of you'.

They drove on in silence except for the music playing which Kurt was thankful for. He stared through the windshield at the white lines glowing in the headlights, his phone was clutched in one hand in case there were more texts or a call but it remained silent.

However he noticed the way Karofsky kept shooting glances at him and he was wondering what was going through Karofsky's head. After half an hour of intense staring out of the window Kurt realized this would be much less awkward if they actually did talk to each other. It should only be small talk, nothing too deep, something like talking about music. In fact Kurt even liked the music Karofsky was playing. It was a playlist of bittersweet songs, a lot of soft strumming of acoustic guitars and gentle voices, nothing that Kurt would have expected Karofsky to listen to. He had assumed Karofsky to prefer something with an aggressive beat, something fast and loud, maybe heavy metal.

"I'm impressed," Kurt said, clearing his throat. "By your playlist. Is this what you usually listen to?" Kurt wasn't familiar with the bands whose names popped up on the display, because he was more into showtunes and the Top 40 thanks to Blaine. Still, he appreciated the tenderness of this music.

"No, not really. It's part of my anger management program," Karofsky explained and Kurt tried not to look too surprised by that relevation. It was good to hear that Karofsky was working on himself, trying to change.

"After what happened with you in McKinley, you know…" Karofsky paused, but then went on. "After I got suspended my dad made me see a shrink to work on my anger control, stuff like that." Karofsky raised his shoulders and let them fall down again, looking kind of defeated. "So they gave me a list of music I was allowed to listen to," Karofsky let out a bitter laugh. "And well, these bands are the only ones I can endure. You know, it's kinda humiliating to be told what you can and can't do anymore."

"Humiliating is being shoved into lockers or tossed into dumpsters," Kurt couldn't stop himself from saying.

"Yeah, well, sorry about that," Karofsky said casually like he was apologizing for taking the last cupcake. "Just for the record, I never tossed you into a dumpster. That was Puckerman's thing."

Kurt didn't say anything back. Did Karofsky expect him to be thankful for mosty being terrorized with menacing gazes and ugly words and a forced kiss... Kurt turned to stare out of the window again.

It was too late for Karoksky to make amends and even if he apologized properly Kurt wasn't sure he could forgive him for all the horrors he put him through.

They made it to Newark in an hour and a half. Karofsky asked him for the address again and they used the GPS to find the right house.

"Fancy neighborhood," Karofsky said along with a whistle. Indeed this definitely was where the rich people lived. Kurt's nervousness grew with every house they passed.

"This is it," Karofsky said as they drove towards an impressive mansion surrounded by a high burglar-proof wall. Kurt clutched his scarf as they approached the gate of the driveway and he squinted his eyes until he could decipher the name sign on the gate.

Anderson.

Oh, God. For a second Kurt felt nauseated. He had expected this but now it became real.

This was the Anderson residence in Newark.

This could only mean that the texts were from Blaine's father and Mr Anderson was awaiting him. What would Mr Anderson do to him? What would he want to talk about? If he wanted to talk to him at all.

Kurt took a deep breath. So what now? Should he just get out and ring the doorbell?

Perhaps he should send a text home to let his family know where he was in case he didn't make it out alive? But no, he'd come with Karofsky, so he had at least one witness if something should happen to him.

Karofsky leaned forward to read the name sign on the gate. "Anderson? Which Andersons?"

"It's my boyfriend's house," Kurt responded in a murmur, not really talking to Karofsky but needing to say it out loud to believe it. "His father wants to see me."

Karofsky turned his head sharp. "Wait, what?" He shouted at him. "Your boyfriend's last name is Anderson? He's the son of Richard Anderson?"

"Yes, why?" Kurt stared wide-eyed at Karofsky.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Karfosky cursed out loud and pounded his fists against the steering wheel. "Of all people! This can't be... oh shit... I thought it was just coincidence but now..."

"What's wrong?" Kurt demanded and tried not to freak out about Karofsky's sudden outburst.

"You can't go in there!"

"Why not?"

"Just believe me! You can't!" Karofsky shifted his car into gear and backed out of the driveway down to the street again.

"No! Stop the car!" Kurt yelled and opened his seatbelt resolutely. He had no choice but to go in there! He needed to know why Mr Anderson wanted to see him. If he had to he'd jump out of the car. He had already opened the passenger door when Karofsky hit the brakes and grabbed his arm.

"Hey! Stay in the car!"

"Let go of me!" Kurt tried to yank his arm free but Karofsky only clutched harder.

"No! I'm telling you, don't go in there!"

Kurt sat back on the seat and stared at Karofsky with his heart beating out of his chest. What striked Kurt the most was the panic he saw in Karofsky's eyes.

"Why not?" Kurt repeated his question, almost too scared of the answer. What did Karofsky know about all this?

Karofsky released his grip on Kurt's arm and shook his head slowly.

"What's wrong, David? What do you know?"

Karofsky pulled his hat off to run a hand over his shortcut hair. "I swear I don't know anything! I only guessed, but I didn't know. If I'd known your boyfriend was the son of Richard Anderson... Fuck!"

"Well, yeah, he is an Anderson," Kurt huffed. "And I'm gonna deal with whatever comes along with the name."

They both jerked when suddenly the gate opened by itself behind them. Apparently they'd been spotted and were invited in.

"You coming with me?" Kurt asked, suddenly hoping that he wouldn't have to do this alone.

Karofsky gave a hesistant but confirming nod and drove slowly in and up the lit driveway to the house. It was a creepy feeling to see the gate close again behind them. Like they were trapped inside the lion's cage, not knowing where the creature was lurking about.

Karofsky stopped the car in front of the entrance. A long row of stairs let up to the front door. They sat in silence and just stared at the house.

"I need to get in there now." Kurt murmured and put his hand on the handle. "Please tell me what you know before I go inside."

Karofsky seemed to struggle with himself for a moment, not knowing how to start. Then he pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and scrolled through it until he found a picture and showed it to Kurt. "Have you seen this guy before?"

Kurt took the phone and squinted his eyes. It was an old picture of David standing next to another bulky guy who had his arm around David's shoulders in a brotherly way. David was younger, maybe thirteen. The other guy was older than Karofsky in the picture, perhaps seventeen, but still he looked exactly like he looked today. Kurt recognized him immediately. It was Devon.

Suddenly Kurt felt numb and all he could do was answering yes by nodding his head.

"Is this the guy who came after you on New Year's?" Karofsky asked and Kurt nodded again, looking up at David completely confused.

"Fuck!" Karofsky swore again.

"How do you know him?"

"He's my fucking cousin!" Karofsky burst out. "He hates gay people! You're not the first one he's beaten up!"

Kurt clutched his scarf again and tried to breathe. "So you knew he was gonna...?"

"No! I knew nothing!" Karofsky defended himself. "He just... Shit, he came to me asking if I wanted to have some fun on New Year's and I knew what he meant so I said no. I didn't know that you were his target! If I'd known I would have stopped him somehow! But since you were at Rachel Berry's party I thought you were safe. It was only after winter's break that I heard that you'd been attacked, but still I couldn't be sure that it had actually been Devon who attacked you. So I started watching out for you."

"You mean stalking me?" Kurt clarified.

"Well, if you put it like that," Karofsky shrugged awkwardly. "I just wanted to make sure Devon or whoever attacked you wasn't gonna get near you again."

Kurt nodded slowly, trying to digest the news.

"And what do you know about Blaine's father, Richard Anderson?"

"Nothing! I only know that Devon and Valerie work for him. Valerie's Devon's sister, so my cousin, too. But I don't like her. She's a snobby bitch. They were kinda friends with the kids, well, that's your boyfriend and his brother. But Devon always cursed about the faggy one, sorry, that'd be your boyfriend then, and said he was gonna get to him one day. Valerie, she's the more rational one."

"From what I hear she's more like of the betrayer kind," Kurt uttered and opened the passenger door.

"Wait! I'll come with you."

"No, considering the circumstances I think I should go alone," Kurt said. "But if I don't come out again within the next hour…"

"Bullshit! I'm going in there with you!" Karfosky growled. "You don't have a clue what you're up against! And I'm not your goddamn driver waiting in the car until my toes freeze off."

Kurt wanted to argue but actually he was glad he didn't have to go alone. Also the text message didn't forbid him to bring company. Even if it did why should he play by the rules of Mr Anderson? He would play by his own rules, thank you very much.

Kurt got out of the car, adjusted his coat and scarf and faced the wooden door.

So this was where Blaine had grown up? It was hard to imagine. Blaine was so humble and modest. The house was impressive and beautiful, overwhelmingly so, but at the same time enormous and intimidating. Rich people, indeed.

A giant brown door with a brass knocker stood atop the flight of steps. Slowly Kurt climbed the stairs and looked for a bell to ring, wondering if he'd have to knock. But of course whoever made it through the gate was an expected visitor and undoubtedly he was being monitored already.

The door opened before he had reached the last step. A young fair-haired woman, slightly taller than Kurt, but on high heels, stood in the threshold, smiling welcoming at him. But there was something cold in her eyes that had Kurt watch out.

"You must be Kurt Hummel," she said. "My name is Valerie McVaughn. Welcome to the Anderson residence."

Then her eyes wandered off to Karofsky who was still standing at the bottom of the stairs and her welcoming smile changed into a look of pleasant surprise. "David," she said and pursed her lips. "Devon didn't tell me you were in."

"I'm not," Karofsky replied with a firm voice.

A brief look of puzzlement crossed her face. "Then why are you here?"

"I'm his driver," Karofsky stated matter-of-factly with a nod at Kurt. "You know, like, for my probation duty. I have to watch out for him."

Valerie's well-formed eyebrows shot up. "Wait, he's the one you got suspended for? Wow, it's such a small world, isn't it?"

"Look, Val, my dad knows I'm driving him. If something happens to him I have to stick up for it."

Kurt looked up. Why was Karofsky lying for him?

Valerie let out a high-pitched laugh. "Oh David, what could possibly happen to him here except catching a cold for standing too long in front of the door? Please come on in."

She held the door open for them and they entered a big entrance hall with winding marble stairs leading upstairs and salon doors to their left and their right. It was an old house and it was more comfy inside than it looked from the outside. Kurt could just imagine Blaine coming home and heading upstairs, throwing his coat over the railing and dropping his satchel on the carpet of the upper floor, calling out for his brother to tell him some exciting news.

Kurt chanced a quick look with Karofsky who seemed impressed, glancing around with arched eyebrows, but clearly not intimidated. He had his hands stuffed in the pockets of his windbreaker and not taking the black watch cap off as politeness would ask for.

"Thank you," Kurt addressed the woman and busied himself by taking off his gloves and loosening his scarf. It was warm in the house.

Once inside he wondered where Mr Anderson would be waiting for him. Perhaps in a salon by the fire place just like in the old movies?

Whatever. Kurt braced himself for meeting the man.

A/N:

Hey, I'm back! Woah, I can't believe I let Kurt sit in a car with Karofsky for three months! I'm so sorry for the unexpected hiatus on this story. I've had a serious case of summertime depression and couldn't get much writing done. I'm so glad to be back working on my baby, I missed writing No Regrets so much. I hope to be able to update regularly again.

Normallyweirdm, thank you so much for your help and support. I couldn't have done all this without you.